Treatment

Most women who develop postpartum thyroiditis don't need treatment during the hyperthyroid or hypothyroid phases of their condition. However, your doctor will likely monitor how your thyroid is functioning through blood tests every four to eight weeks. This will help him or her track whether abnormalities resolve themselves or detect the development of hypothyroidism.

If you develop severe signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, your doctor will likely recommend treatment with a drug that blocks the effects of thyroid hormone on the body (beta blocker). Beta blockers typically aren't recommended for women who are breast-feeding. However, the beta blocker propranolol (Inderal) might be recommended because in breast milk it's not as concentrated as other beta blockers.

If you develop severe signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, you'll likely need thyroid hormone therapy for six to 12 months. This treatment involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levo-T, Synthroid, others).

When you stop taking the medication your doctor will monitor you for the development of hypothyroidism. You might need blood tests after six weeks, three months, and then, if your test results remain normal, annually.